Gone are the days when only three-hour-long movies could entertain—at least for Gen Z.
Now, short-form video content dominates social media platforms like Instagram. It’s engaging, grabs attention, and delivers the message before Instagram users lose interest and scroll away.
But as exciting as formats like Instagram Reels, Stories, and Feed videos sound, they can also be confusing if you don’t understand their technicalities.
Short-form content comes with time limits—but not necessarily the same limit for every video format on the platform.
Questions like "How long can a video be on Instagram?", "How long can Instagram Reels be?", and "How long can Instagram Stories be?" all have different answers, which can leave you feeling lost.
And with thousands of conflicting answers online, figuring out the ideal Instagram video length can feel overwhelming.
We understand your struggle, which is why we’ve put together this blog to break down everything you need to know about Instagram video length based on the different video formats supported on the platform.
Instagram supports a variety of video formats, and here’s a detailed breakdown of how long can Instagram videos be based on each format:
Instagram's video posts in the feed come in various lengths, ranging from quick 3-second snippets to lengthy 60-minute stories.
The intriguing part? If the length of an Instagram video surpasses the 60-second mark, Instagram provides a sneak peek—a teaser, if you will—right in the feed.
But wait, there's a clever workaround!
You can use Instagram's editing tools to trim those longer videos or craft them into cool carousel posts. (More on this later)
You can also use a screen recorder to create Instagram Reel videos on your PC.
And hey, here's a tip for the perfect video post: aim for that ideal Instagram video size of 1080 x 1080 pixels for landscape vibes or 1080 x 1350 pixels for portrait magic!
And when it comes to aspect ratios, the key is keeping things between 1.911 and 4:5.
Pro Tip: Embrace vertical videos for that extra oomph and better engagement – it's like speaking Instagram's language fluently!
Ah, remember those old-style horizontal videos? Well, they've evolved into Reels now!
Let’s now explore how long Instagram Reels can be.
Instagram Reels have transformed the world of short-form content with engaging short clips set to music, capturing trends like TikTok.
IG Reel time limit is between 15 to 90 seconds.
Its creative arsenal, including filters and templates, empowers users to craft engaging content within the 9:16 aspect ratio and 1080 x 1920 pixels dimensions.
Want to maximize impact with these social media videos? Post your Reels early in the day to catch the morning scroll wave.
Enhance your Instagram Reels by incorporating soundtracks that elevate engagement. Using music over video apps can help you seamlessly add background music, sound effects, or voiceovers to create more dynamic and engaging content.
Instagram's pivot to video is no accident; it's a strategic move to capture the attention of Gen Z and millennials, ensuring the platform remains a vibrant hub of creativity.
Remember, in the world of Reels, it's not just about staying within the Instagram Reel length limit; quality content rules supreme, creating a ripple effect of audience participation and app engagement.
Now that you know how long can Reels be on Instagram, let’s also find out how long can a Story be on Instagram.
After learning about the maximum length of Instagram reels, here is a take on the length of Instagram stories.
Instagram Stories are where creativity meets urgency—they display bite-sized, engaging videos that disappear after 24 hours.
Originally, Instagram Story length was limited to 15 seconds, but now these short bursts of storytelling have evolved into 60-second segments, allowing users to share more seamlessly.
Capture the essence of the moment with an Instagram Story dimension of 1080px by 1920px and an aspect ratio of 9:16, ensuring a visually appealing experience for your audience.
But the magic extends beyond the ticking clock.
Elevate your storytelling by curating these moments into highlights, creating a lasting tapestry of your brand's narrative.
Unleash interactivity with filters, emojis, tags, and stickers— vibrant tools that enhance engagement and transform your Stories into an immersive experience.
Unlock the power of spontaneity as you share behind-the-scenes peeks, daily updates, or limited-time offers through the ephemeral nature of Stories.
Each Story is a vivid brushstroke, allowing your brand to resonate authentically.
Instagram Live is your direct ticket to real-time connection with your audience.
Now that the Instagram video length limit for live videos has been extended to a whopping 4 hours, it’s the go-to platform for engaging workshops, interviews, and dynamic content.
Save your live videos for 30 days, ensuring everyone can catch up, and even discover replays conveniently tucked into your Reels tab.
Initiate a Live broadcast with a swipe or tap, and spice things up by bringing in three guests through a virtual Live Room.
Your Live audience is your instant feedback crew, expressing themselves through comments, emojis, and badges to support creators.
For nonprofits, it's a fundraising powerhouse in partnership with PayPal Giving Fund.
Instagram Live: where real-time meets real engagement, fostering authentic connections in the blink of an eye. #InstaLiveMagic
Navigating Instagram video length limits can be a breeze with a few clever hacks and the use of an Instagram post scheduler like SocialPilot for optimal content planning.
Here's a roundup of effective social media video marketing strategies to make the most out of your content:
Ever found yourself with a captivating video that's just a tad too long for the Instagram spotlight?
Long videos lose viewers' interest quickly.
Fear not! Harness the transformative potential of Instagram's trim tool.
Beyond a mere snipping operation, it's an art form.
Picture this: seamlessly slicing your video to retain the essence, leaving your audience craving more.
Think beyond the constraints of a single video.
A carousel post can have up to 10 slides, accommodating ten 60-second videos, helping you to put out 60 mins of content in one go.
Imagine weaving an immersive tale through Instagram's Carousel Posts.
It's not just a series of slides; it's a dynamic, interactive experience for your audience whenever they see your content, be it a video post or your Instagram video ads.
Each swipe unveils a new facet, a fresh perspective, creating a storytelling journey that transcends the confines of a standalone post.
Leverage this feature to craft a social media marketing narrative that resonates and lingers in the minds of your followers.
Long-form content meets the scrolling world of Instagram.
Break down your video into digestible segments, each a compelling piece of the larger puzzle.
What unfolds is a masterful storytelling tapestry, a sequence of moments carefully orchestrated to captivate your audience.
As you piece together these segments, consider the rhythm, the crescendo, and the emotional journey you're curating.
Want to know what else can help your content strike that sweet emotional chord with your audience?
Animated videos!
Just cracking the right video length won’t make your videos viral—you need to put in a bit more work to make that happen.
We have a guide with amazing tips to create social media viral videos that can help you with this. Do check it out!
The reason behind this is that different Instagram video formats on Instagram have different maximum time limits—Feed videos (up to 60 minutes), Reels (up to 90 seconds), and Stories (up to 60 seconds).
So, if you try to upload a video in a certain format and it surpasses the maximum video length allowed for that format, you are likely to face this problem.
Yes, you definitely can, but not as Reels or Stories since their maximum limits are below 90 seconds.
You can upload longer videos as regular posts, as they have a time limit of up to 60 minutes.
The longest videos you can post on Instagram are Live Videos, which can last up to 4 hours.
Next in line are Feed Videos, which have a maximum length of 60 minutes.
Bravo, Instagram virtuoso!
In this 2025 Handbook, you've got the map to navigate the Insta terrain.
So, sparkle in your videos, resonate in Stories, and dance through Reels.
Remember, it’s not just about Instagram video length or Instagram Reels aspect ratio—it’s about crafting captivating content that keeps your audience hooked.
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